Revolving bookcase.



No. 770,903. PATENTBD SEPT. 27, 1904. S. M. HOLT.

REVOLVING BOOKGASE. APPLIGATION FILED 1120,-31, 190e.

N0 MODEL.

l v I l l Il I Inventor Attorney Patented September 27, 1904.

PATENT Orricn.

SETH MILTON H OLT, OF BERTHA, KENTUCKY.

REVOLVING BOOKCASE.

SPECIFICATION forming` part of Letters Patent No. 770,903, dated September 27', 1904. Application iiled December 31, 1903. Serial. No. 187,319. (No model.)

To (LZ/f whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SETH MILTON HoL'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bertha, in the county of Knox and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Revolving Bookcases; and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvementsin revolving bookcases.

The object of the invention is to provide a bookcase having independently revolving shelves which may be readily turned to bring any portion of the same quickly within reach of the reader.

Another object is to provide a bookcase having revolvingbook-supportingshelves partitioned off into radially-disposed compartments and to provide, in connection with said book shelves, paper racks, drawer shelves, and reading-shelves having means for supporting books in open position.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a side view of a bookcase embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view of a portion of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken above one of the shelves. u

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 denotes the bookcase, which consists .of a suitable supporting-base 2, on which is secured a central vertical supporting-standard 3, having arranged thereon a series of su pporting-shoulders 4, which are formed by red ucing the standard at intervals from the lower to the upper end of the same, each space between the shoulders 4 being of lessI diameter than the next space below. On the shoulders are revolubly mounted a series lof book-supporting shelves 5, arranged one above another, as shown. Each of said book-shelves is formed of a central hub-section 6, from which project radially-disposed arms 7, which support at their outer ends the book-holding sections 8 of the shelves. On each of said sections is arranged a vertically disposed flange 9, forming a backing for the section, against which the books may rest.

The sections 8 are preferably, though not necessarily, circular in form and are slightly inclined or pitched inwardly, as shown, to pre- -vent the books from slipping or jarring oif the same. On the sections 8 are arranged a series of radially-disposed partition-blocks l0, which divide the shelf-sections into compartments. Owing to the triangular shape of the partition-blocks l0, the sides of the same will form a right angle with or be disposed at substantially a right angle to the flange or backing 9, thereby holding the books squarely on the shelf-sections and at substantially right angles to the flange or backing.

In order that the books may be held upright and prevented from upsetting or falling off from the shelves, holding devices are provided. Said holding devices each consists of a horizontally-disposed arm l2, pivotally connected at its inner end with the hub-section of the shelf. rIhe outer ends of the arms l2 project through horizontally-disposed slots 13, formed in the iiange or backing 9 of the book-compartments, and have fixed thereon clamping-heads 14, which engage the side of the end book of each stack or row in the compartment and force the row of books against the right-angularly-disposed sides of the partition-blocks 10. The arms 12 are forced into engagement with the books by means of coiled springs l5, which are secured at one end to said arms and at their opposite ends to the inner side of the shelf-sections 8.

Above the book shelves is arranged a drawer-shelf 16, in which is arranged a series of radially-disposed drawers 17. The top of this section forms a reading table or desk 18 and has arranged thereon book-holders 19. Above the drawer-shelf is arranged a shelf 20, having an annular iiange 2l, on which is secured paper holders or racks 22. The upper end of the standard 2 is finished with an ornamental knob, as shown.

Below the lower book-shelf is arranged a IOO reading-shelf 23, which is of somewhat greater diameter than the book-shelves and has arranged thereon holders or supports for holding books in open position for reading or reference. On the under side of the readingshelf 23 is arranged a series of radially-disposed drawers 24. The reading table or desk 18 over the drawers 17 is disposed at the proper height to permit the reading of a book when the reader is in standing position, while the shelf 23 is disposed at a height to enable books to be read by a person when seated.

The supporting-shoulders 4 and the standard above each of said shoulders are provided with ball-bearings on and against which the hubs of the shelves revolve, thereby facilitating the turning of the shelves and lessening the friction between the hubs and their supports.

In a bookcase constructed as herein shown and described books may be conveniently arranged and classilied and ready access may be had to the book or books desired on any particular shelf without the necessity of the reader getting up for the same.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what y I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a bookcase, the combination of a supporting-standard, an annular book-shelf having a hub member engaging the standard and adapting the book-shelf to rotate, and a springpressed arm, pivoted to the hub member, movable longitudinally of the shelf, and serving to hold books in an upright position thereon.

2. In a bookcase, the combination with a base, of a standard fixed on the same, bookshelves revolubly mounted on said standard, book compartments formed on said bookshelves, combined drawer-shelves and reading-tables arranged one above and one below said book-shelves, and a revolving paper-rack arranged on the upper end of said standard, substantially as described.

3. In a bookcase, the combination of a supporting-standard, an annular book-shelf having a back provided with a longitudinal slot, said shelf being further provided with a hub member engaging the standard and adapting the book-shelf to rotate, and a spring-pressed arm, extending through and movable in the longitudinal slot of the shelf-back, pivoted to the hub member, and serving to hold books in an upright position on the shelf.

4. In a bookcase, the combination with a base, of a standard fixed thereon, circular book-shelves supported by said standard, said shelves consisting of an inner hub-section having a rotary antifrictional engagement with said standard, radially-projecting arms secured to said hubs, annular inwardly-inclined book-supporting sections carried by said arms, book-compartments arranged on said booksupporting sections, and spring controlled arms pivoted on said hubs and having formed on their outer ends book engaging heads, whereby the books on said shelves are supported in an upright position in said compartments, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SETH MILTON HOLT.

Witnesses:

J. F. HERRIN, Trios. HARBER. 

